What Is Fashion Merchandising & Management?
Fashion merchandising and management is a fashion program offered all over the world that deals with the creation, marketing, promotion and selling of fashion. These careers require specialized knowledge and training and encourage individuals to work in teams, hone their creativity, and develop the skills to be business savvy.
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Definition
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Fashion merchandising is a career that teaches planning, purchasing, allocation, and promotion of merchandise in order to create a positive consumer experience. Fashion merchandisers are customer-oriented and inspire their customers through the presentation of clothes. Fashion management involves the promotion of fashion and evoking interest in new styles and products.
About
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According to the Art Institute of Vancouver (British Columbia), fashion marketing and merchandising is a thriving, billion-dollar industry. Because of globalization, fashion marketers and merchandisers with knowledge of other languages, cultures and tastes are in demand. The industry requires a basic understanding of international business and expects its employees to be able to operate within the global market. To function in this market, professionals need to learn basic design skills, have a knowledge of sales orientation and display a sense of creativity.
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Considerations
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One way to pursue a career in this field is by attending a school that offers this program. According to the Fashion Institute of Design, programs in fashion merchandising and management train students in the promotion of merchandise, the application of technology to this task and the leadership and management skills for the selling of fashion goods and services.
Schools
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Several colleges in the United States and other countries offer this program. Art institutes all over the United States include a fashion merchandise and management degree. Online schools including Penn Foster College, Ashworth College and Stratford Career Institute offer this program.
Careers
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Many possible career outcomes begin with a degree in fashion merchandising and management. They include:
Buyer
Buyers maximize sales and profitability for a business in the fashion industry. They create business strategies that analyze and react to fashion trends, while choosing merchandise and selling goods.
Merchandise planner and allocator
Merchandise planners and allocators use computer and math skills to problem-solve and support the company’s goals, identifying any store trends, planning financially and predicting future merchandise needs.
District manager
The district manager plays a major role in sales and profitability of a company. Responsibilities include reaching store standards, enhancing the shopping experience for a customer and motivating or recognizing talent within the staff.
Store manager
The store manager is head of a department or specialty store and works in communication with buyers and district personnel, overseeing operations and attempting to maximize sales and profits.
Account executive
An account executive works between the manufacturer and buyer and maintains several retail accounts for the manufacturer. She also maintains the showroom and assists the buyer so they can maximize profitability and keep inventory levels maintained.
Merchandise coordinator
Merchandise coordinators use visual presentation skills to merchandise product lines and keep them level on behalf of the manufacturer. They also serve as communicator between the account executive, buyer and retail outlet.
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References
- Photo Credit fashion image by nutech21 from Fotolia.com
